Wisconsin
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Wisconsin dental assistant is asked to perform irreversible enamel contouring without direct
supervision. Which legal issue is most directly implicated?
A. HIPAA violation
B. Scope of practice violation
C. OSHA violation
D. Insurance fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Wisconsin law limits irreversible procedures to licensed dentists or properly delegated
and supervised personnel.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed pain-free fillings forever” on a clinic website. Which ethical issue
is most clearly violated?
A. Beneficence
B. Truth in advertising
C. Patient autonomy
D. Standard of care
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is misleading and violates advertising ethics.
True/False: In Wisconsin, patient dental records must generally be retained for at least five years
after the last treatment.
Answer: True
Rationale: Wisconsin requires minimum retention periods for dental records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA governs confidentiality and security of protected health information.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s diagnosis with a coworker not involved in treatment. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA confidentiality rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Billing procedures
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure of PHI violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating any irreversible dental procedure.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employees’ actions within
their job duties is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers are legally responsible for staff actions within scope.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia to an untrained assistant. This violates:
2
DENTAL JURISPRUDENCE
Exam Elaborations Questions &
Answers
2026
, A Wisconsin dental assistant is asked to perform irreversible enamel contouring without direct
supervision. Which legal issue is most directly implicated?
A. HIPAA violation
B. Scope of practice violation
C. OSHA violation
D. Insurance fraud
Answer: B
Rationale: Wisconsin law limits irreversible procedures to licensed dentists or properly delegated
and supervised personnel.
A dentist advertises “guaranteed pain-free fillings forever” on a clinic website. Which ethical issue
is most clearly violated?
A. Beneficence
B. Truth in advertising
C. Patient autonomy
D. Standard of care
Answer: B
Rationale: Guaranteeing outcomes is misleading and violates advertising ethics.
True/False: In Wisconsin, patient dental records must generally be retained for at least five years
after the last treatment.
Answer: True
Rationale: Wisconsin requires minimum retention periods for dental records.
Fill in the blank: The federal law that protects patient health information privacy is ________.
Answer: HIPAA
Rationale: HIPAA governs confidentiality and security of protected health information.
A dental hygienist shares a patient’s diagnosis with a coworker not involved in treatment. This is a
violation of:
A. OSHA regulations
B. HIPAA confidentiality rules
C. Employment contract law
D. Billing procedures
Answer: B
Rationale: Unauthorized disclosure of PHI violates HIPAA.
True/False: Informed consent must be obtained before initiating any irreversible dental procedure.
Answer: True
Rationale: Patients must be informed of risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Fill in the blank: The legal doctrine that holds employers responsible for employees’ actions within
their job duties is ________.
Answer: Vicarious liability
Rationale: Employers are legally responsible for staff actions within scope.
A dentist delegates local anesthesia to an untrained assistant. This violates:
2
